HTO’s Donor Thank You Party Shines Bright!

It was a full moon and a full house at the Santa Barbara FisHouse last night as Heal the Ocean (HTO) hosted its annual Donor Thank You Party to conclude our Imaginary Gala 2024 fundraising campaign. HTO Executive Director Hillary Hauser addressed the enthusiastic crowd, declaring, “This has been the most successful year in our history—even surpassing the days of the QAD and Coral Casino extravaganzas!”

The private deck of the oceanside restaurant was decorated with candles and hand-arranged flower bouquets, skillfully prepared by HTO’s dedicated team: Board Member/Events Manager Heather Hudson, Communications & Operations Manager Jasmin Tupy, Policy Analyst Noah Boland, and Intern Haley Sims. Guests enjoyed a relaxed evening with surf-inspired music by The Salty Misfits, a bountiful buffet provided by the FisHouse, and wines generously donated by La Lieff Wines.

Hillary shared greetings from Honorary Chair Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who sent her love from New York and made a joke about Hillary being retired. Hillary clarified that she remains as Executive Director until HTO finds the perfect fit, supported by a team of consultants guiding the transition process.

Distinguished guests included 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps, Santa Barbara City Mayor Randy Rowse, and Councilmembers Kristen Sneddon and Eric Friedman, 1st District Supervisor-elect Roy Lee’s representative, Aida Thau, and County Public Works Director Chris Sneddon. Also in attendance were HTO Board Members Thomas Dabney, Jonathan Wygant, Heather Hudson, and Tom White (the original builder of the FisHouse, now owned by his son, Adam White), alongside community leaders such as John and Hazel Blankenship, directors of the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, retired City Fire Chief Pat McElroy and his wife Bonnie, Andy and Yvonne Neumann, Larry and Wendy Barels, and HTO Field Consultant Harry Rabin and his wife Randi.

The evening was free of auctions or fundraising pitches, offering guests a chance to mingle with each other while celebrating HTO’s accomplishments over the past year, which Hillary proudly highlighted:

Coordinating with Santa Maria and Lompoc to remove 5 tons of debris from the Santa Ynez Riverbed and other encampments to prevent pollution, from reaching the coast;
Partnering with the City Waterfront Department to secure a state grant to remove indigent boats from improper anchorages off our coastline;
Diverting countless pounds of Styrofoam from the Tajiguas Landfill;
Advancing work on septic pollution of groundwater, with Policy Analyst Noah Boland monitoring problematic situations;
Organizing numerous community beach cleanups;
Collaborating with Cal Poly Professor Priya Verma on a joint study to explore different possibilities for addressing sea-level rise and coastal retreat.

Next Morning Hangover: A Boat on the Beach

While the previous evening was a joyful celebration of HTO’s supporters who fund HTO work, the next morning, Friday, was a big headache: a newly wrecked boat washed ashore, this one off Padaro Lane.

HTO Field Consultant Harry Rabin was all over the problem before most of us were out of bed – down at the wreck site, checking for pollutants, establishing contact with the boat owner, who is liable for cleanup costs, and finally, the hardest part: working on a way to remove the wreckage.

We’re still figuring out a way to clean it all up as we write this, and that's it for now. We wish everyone a great weekend, and please stay safe.

From all of us at HTO to all of you, thank you.

Hillary Hauser, Executive Director

HTO thanks the Poehler-Stremel Charitable Trust
for providing funds to publish our newsletters and e-letters!

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